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Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11)

Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11). November 4, 2012. Seven Elements To Each Letter. Name of the church Title of Christ chosen Commendation given Concerns expressed Exhortation Promise to the overcomer Closing - “He that hath an ear…”. Levels of Application. Local churches (real congregations)

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Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11)

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  1. Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11) November 4, 2012

  2. Seven Elements To Each Letter • Name of the church • Title of Christ chosen • Commendation given • Concerns expressed • Exhortation • Promise to the overcomer • Closing - “He that hath an ear…”

  3. Levels of Application • Local churches (real congregations) • Admonition regarding all the churches “let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Rev 2:11 • Personal application • Prophetic - due to the order they are presented in • Like a report card • Each church surprised

  4. Smyrna (The City) • Derived from “Mur”- means “death • 42 miles from Ephesus • Beautiful city – ornament, crown, flower of Asia • Founded in 1000 BC – destroyed in 600 BC • Rebuilt around 200 BC (planned city) • Host of pagan temples to various Greek gods • Readily accepted Caesar worship (pinch of incense) • Numerous influential Jews in Smyrna Ruins of Smyrna

  5. Pagan Worship • Shrines to Apollo (Sun God), Aphrodite (goddess of love and beauty), Zeus (god of the sky), Asclepius (god of medicine) • Statues to Poseidon (god of the sea) and Demeter (goddess of corn, grain, and the harvest) • Goddess of Smyrna was Cybele - giver of wealth, her worship was wild and unrestrained Poseidon & Demeter

  6. Smyrna (The Church) • No epistle written to this church in NT • Great persecution • Charges leveled against the Christians • Pressure to conform • Polycarp was the Bishop of Smyrna • Martyred on Feb 23, 155 AD 103 years of age “eighty and six years have I served Him…”

  7. Title of Christ • “The First and the Last” “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, And His Redeemer, the Lord of hosts; I am the First and I am the Last; besides me there is no God” Is 44:6 • “Who was dead and came to life” “For in this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” 1 Peter 2:21

  8. Commendations • God was pleased with their works • God was pleased with how they handled tribulation (affliction) - “crushing beneath a weight” • That they were rich in their poverty (ptocheia) two Greek words for poverty “penia” - man who has nothing superfluous “ptocheia” - man who has nothing at all “joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.” Heb 10:34

  9. Commendations • I know your suffering “These things have I spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 • Suffering could have easily been avoided simply by offering a pinch of incense on an altar to Caesar - a vital test faced by these Christians - severe consequences

  10. Concerns • None! • What an incredible report card for a church to receive • Would be like A+ or 4.33 GPA • What was the cost in achieving this excellent rating?

  11. Exhortations • That Satan is behind the trouble • Do not fear what is about to happen to you • You may be tested • You will have tribulation (ten days) Christians were convenient scapegoats Christianity became a crime in the Roman Empire (martyrs) • Do not confuse persecution with tribulation (wrath of God) • Be faithful unto death!

  12. Promise To The Overcomer • Crown of life - Rev 2:10; James 1:12 those who have suffered for His sake • Crown of righteousness - 2 Tim 4:8 those who loved His appearing • Crown of glory - 1 Peter 5:4 those who feed the flock • Crown incorruptible - 1 Cor 9:25 those who press on steadfastly • Crown of rejoicing - 1 Thess2:9 those who win souls

  13. Prophetic Application • Smyrna = persecuted church • Why were these seven churches chosen? • Order they are given corresponds to the state of the church during the seven periods of its history • Coincidence or prophetic? • Covers about 250 year time span of the church

  14. Prophetic Application • Ten days (Ten Roman Emperors?) • Nero (Peter crucified 64 AD) - Domitian (John exiled) - Trajan (Ignatius burned 107 AD) - Marcus Aurelius (Polycarp burned 155 AD) - Septimius Severus (Irenaeus martyred in 203 AD) Maximinus - Decius (249-251 AD) Valerian (253-260 AD) - Aurelian (270-275 AD) - Diocletian (284-305 AD) • Specific directed persecution against the church • Reign of these ten emperors during a 250 year time span • Resulted in death of 5 million believers - Fox’s Book of Martyrs

  15. Personal Application • God is aware of what we are doing (works) • It is possible to be blessed while experiencing and even dying in a state of poverty • Definition of true riches (not dependent on material belongings) • God may test us • Ultimate test is the extent of our faithfulness • What about tribulation in the life of a believer?

  16. Trials and Tribulation • “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” 2 Tim 3:12 • “In the world you will have tribulation.” John 16:33 • These are very real promises • They include every true believer • Necessary for spiritual growth (James 1:2-4)

  17. Why Trials and Tribulation? • To glorify God (Dan 3:16-18, 24-25) • To discipline for known sin (Heb 12:5-11; 1 John 1:9) • To prevent us from falling into sin (1 Peter 4:1,2) • To keep us from pride (2 Cor 12:7-10) • To build faith (1 Peter 1:6,7) • To cause growth (Rom 5:3-5)

  18. Why Trials and Tribulation? • To teach obedience and discipline (Acts 9:15,16; Phil 4:11-13) • To equip us to comfort others (2 Cor 1:3,4) • To prove the reality of Christ (2 Cor 4:7-11) • For testimony to the angels (Eph 3:8-11) “things which angels long to look into” 1 Peter 1:12 • Only eternity will reveal the true impact

  19. He Who Has An Ear… • “Let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” • Why? • Because in these seven letters we see what God loves about the church and what He does not love • Let us receive the commendation (if deserved) • Let us be open to correction (if necessary)

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